LA LIFE: Block Party, Dance Fun, Portraits, Free Pets

My Gosh, there are a lot of celebrations happening this week Tomatoes! LA is Hoppin’! Methinks I should start by wishing you all a very “Happy 4th of July!” Tomatoes. Here a few fun events you might enjoy.

Block Party

The Grand Park July 4th Block Party presented by the Music Center returns with a quintessential American way to celebrate America’s Birthday. Remember block party’s tomatoes? Well, I will admit I do and this block party is the largest Independence Day Celebration in LA.

And it features picnics, ways to play, music, dancing and an incredible new fireworks display launched from the civic center across the beautiful DTLA sky line. What a sight to behold ladies. And it’s all free! I bet that tickles you pink Ladies.

Through July 4. Portrait Gallery

Also, at Grand Park and for the second year, Grand Park transforms into a nighttime art gallery from Sunset to Midnight every evening. It features photography by L.A.-based artists projected to 100 feet wide by 100 feet high on the south wall of the historic L.A. County Hall of Records creating a larger-than-life artwork. Wow!

The iconic modernist building was built by famed architect Richard Neutra was one of his few high-rises. Featured images will tell stories and share visions of L.A.’s future as envisioned by some of the county’s best photographers. Park-goers can enjoy the exhibit over a picnic, view the gallery during their nighttime commute or take in the images during a stroll through the park and course at the Grand Park July 4th Block Party.

July 4. Barn Dance

Slap your knee and kick up your heels tomatoes, just like the good ole days, with a real barn dance on America’s b-day at Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum. There’s even a pie eating contest, a cake walk and a watermelon seed spitting contest dag nab it! You are never too old or too young to enjoy a down-home Barn Dance and old-fashioned fun in beautiful Topanga Canyon ladies, especially when you are a hot Tomato.

You’ll enjoy a lively hoe-down with plenty of unique live music. Of course, there’ll be a barbecue and other fixin’s, snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine…and various and sundry treats. Plenty to keep your bellies full and your spirits happy gals. Best to get your tickets in advance.

July 5 – August 16 Sizzling Summer Nights

“Sizzling Summer Nights at the Autry” is an outdoor dance party on Thursday nights with an array of Latin sounds from new bands and legends of the Salsa Music Scene. The Salsa, the Cha –Cha, the Merengue and more makes for a very lively dance floor. Time to brush up on your hot tomato dance moves gals.

Oh wait…the outdoor parties include free dance lessons with instructors. Yeah! You also get access to museum Galleries and there’s even a separate children’s dance floor. It’s a family affair Tomatoes. Tacos, margaritas, and other light refreshments are available for purchase.

Now to July 4. Save All the Tail Waggers.

Thanks to generous donars across the country who “Paid It Forward”, adopt for FREE and help us send 10,000 pets home in 10 days! Not ready to adopt? You too can Pay It Forward. Visit save-them-all.org for more details!

The Three Tomatoes LA Life editor, Debbie Zipp is your friendly guide to the best of everything in LA with a tomato style perspective. Debbie is an actor, producer, and writer. She is best known for her recurring role as Donna on the CBS series "Murder She Wrote" starring Angela Lansbury. She has had many other TV and stage roles and has starred in over 300 national TV commercials. As head of In The Trenches Productions, Debbie produced, directed, acted in many short films for her company. Her book, The Aspiring Actor's Handbook: What Seasoned Actors Wish They Had Known was recently published.